Substance abuse and addiction have long been chronic health problems in the United States. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over20 million adults are currently struggling with an addiction. You or someone you know likely is one of those people. Thankfully, there are treatment options available for drug and alcohol addiction.
One of the main reasons that people avoid treatment is financial. They worry that they cannot afford the costs of inpatient or outpatient treatment. Many health insurance policies can go a long way in helping patients get the treatment they need. Read on to learn more about how Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin health insurance plans cover rehab expenses.
Signs You May Need Rehab
A drug or alcohol addiction can affect every aspect of your life. While people react to addiction differently, there are some common signs that you or loved one could benefit from treatment.
- Distancing yourself from friends and family
- Taking financial or personal risks to obtain the substance
- Poor performance at school or work
- Needing the substance to feel normal
- Loss of interest in social activities that do not involve the substance
If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, your treatment may be covered by your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin health insurance plan.
Do Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Plans Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
If you are a member of an Anthem BCBS of Wisconsin health plan, you are covered for both inpatient and outpatient rehab treatment. You must pay attention to the specifics of your health plan. For example, a PPO plan requires that you use providers that are in a specific network. If you choose a provider outside of the PPO network, you will have a higher cost.
The History of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin has a history that goes back to 1939 when a group of hospitals wanted to work together to coordinate care. In the 1970s, this group teamed up with the Blue Shield physicians’ group to form BCBS. There was another series of mergers in the 2000s leading to the acquisition of the BCBS organizations of several states by the WellPoint Health Network. In 2014, WellPoint changed its corporate name to Anthem. Today, Anthem BCBS covers individual, family, and business insurance plans as well as providing pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage.
Why do We Need Rehab Coverage?
All too often, well-meaning family members and friends treat addiction as a simple matter of will power. While it is true that the initial encounter with an illicit substance may have been a choice, the fact is that addiction is a chronic disease. The neural pathways of people who struggle with addiction have changed with repeated exposure to the substance. In most cases, these encounters have changed the way the chemical reward system in the brain works.
Depending on the substance and the length of the addiction, refraining from using the substance leads to a healthy physical and mental reaction. This reaction is best handled under the care of trained professionals. Rehab centers employ medical professionals who can prescribe medicines to make the transition easier. They also have therapists who can teach new coping skills to addicted patients. Successful recovery from addiction requires more than will power. It is best done with a team of professionals who can address the physical and mental needs of patients.
How does Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Rehab Coverage Work?
The extent of Anthem BCBS of Wisconsin rehab coverage depends on the individual health plan. Some plans require you to use approved rehab centers within a network. You will either be required to pay a copay at the time of service, or you will have to pay up to your annual deductible. Before you check in to a rehab center, make sure that it is covered in your Anthem network and that you do not need a referral from your primary care physician.
What is Detox?
Detox is the process your body goes through when you begin to refrain from your addictive substance. Depending on the substance, this process can take several days or a few weeks to complete. During detoxification, your body may have a strong reaction to the lack of your substance. Since addiction affects the brain, symptoms of detox are both physical and mental. Common symptoms of detox include
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
These reactions can be powerful, so this process should happen under the care of medical staff. Although they cannot make this process easy, they can help you deal with detox without falling back into old habits.
What are the Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment?
Inpatient and outpatient treatments differ in their scope and intensity. Inpatient treatment is acute treatment. In an inpatient rehab center, you will check yourself into the facility and remain there under 24-hour care. You will be monitored by medical staff who can prescribe medications to help you through the detoxification process. Inpatient rehab involves a set schedule of therapy sessions and activities. The point of inpatient treatment is to get you away from the substance as well as the habits that brought you to your addiction.
Outpatient treatment is often follow-up care after an inpatient stay. You will be able to go to school or work, following a relatively regular daily schedule. People in outpatient care may be required to take regular drug tests to prove that they are clean. BCBS of Wisconsin currently offers a Smart Intensive Outpatient Program. This program has a robust online component with 62 online lessons and 11 remote counseling sessions. They are hoping to provide patients in outpatient treatment with both the care and flexibility they need to support recovery.
Get the Help you Deserve Today.
There is no reason to avoid seeking treatment for addiction. If you think you or someone you love has an issue with substance abuse or addiction, contact your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin plan provider to take advantage of your treatment options.
